AmericanPublicUniversity Systems – AmericanMilitaryUniversity - Bachelor of Arts in Emergency and Disaster Management
The nature of disasters and large-scale catastrophic events requires professionals with a background and education in dealing with natural and man-made hazards. AmericanMilitaryUniversity’s Bachelor in Arts in Emergency and Disaster Management prepares students for careers in emergency management and public safety careers. From the smallest incident to the largest catastrophe, our emergency and disaster management program stresses the fact that “all disasters are local,” which is a foundational emergency management concept. In addition, we introduce our students to the all-hazards approach, emergency and disaster management phases, risk assessment, prevention and management, counter-terrorism, consequence management, mitigation, and recovery.
Emergency and disaster management faculty have credentials in anti-terrorism, forensics, explosive ordinance disposal, pre-disaster mitigation, planning, response to natural disasters, rapid deployment, fire services at local, tribal, and state levels, as well as at the National level. Many faculty members are board-certified emergency managers (CEM) through the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM). In addition, many adjunct faculty serve in key positions at the U.S Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, State Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, NationalFireAcademy, and Transportation and Security Administration. Our Emergency and Disaster Management program is accredited by the Foundation of Higher Education (FoHE) for Disaster and Emergency Management and Homeland Security. We are the first 100 percent on-line institution to receive this important distinction.
Core Requirements(31 Hours)
COLL300 - Research, Analysis, and Writing (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course outlines basic study and research techniques, the use of libraries, and the importance of research methodology and analysis for the social sciences. It is a writing intensive course that requires a sound understanding of written communication. Students enrolling in this course should be familiar with proper citations and documentation, grammar and syntax, organizing their writing, and parts of a paper. (Prerequisite: ENGL101 or ENGL102).
Pre Reqs: Proficiency in Writing(ENGL101),Effectiveness in Writing(ENGL102)
EDMG220 - Emergency Planning (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
Effective emergency planning is the key to surviving natural and man-made disasters. Risk analysis and the formulation of a comprehensive plan, followed by a vigorous and continuing testing program, are essential elements to surviving an emergency. Topics covered include threat assessment, risk analysis, formulating the plan, staffing the emergency operations center (EOC), coordinating with supporting agencies, the importance of continuing liaison, managing an actual incident, and conducting an effective follow-up analysis. Various actual case studies are discussed.
EDMG230 - Emergency and Disaster Incident Command (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course is a study of the theory and practice of incident command, the various methods of incident command, and specific focus on the Incident Command System (ICS) used in crises, disasters, and emergency management response systems. Cases are studied in order to assist students in understanding the management and leadership complexity associated with modern emergencies and disasters.
EDMG320 - Natural Disaster Management (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course addresses the planning, recovery, and response system in place in the United States for natural disasters. The course covers issues of organization, operations, training, and other issues associated with the management of natural disasters.
EDMG340 - Consequence Management (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course addresses the potential results from nuclear, biological, and chemical incidents or uses. Topics include public health consequences of such incidents, emergency planning and response measures in place among U.S. agencies, and emerging detection and management technologies. Existing vulnerabilities to these types of incidents and attacks will also be discussed. Objectives of the course include identification of the historical development and use of chemical and biological weapons; definition of the types of chemical and biological weapons and their impacts; analysis of case studies related to the development and use of chemical and biological weapons, and research on chemical and biological warfare.
HLSS301 - Homeland Security Organization (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course is a study of federal, state, local, private, and other organizational entities involved in homeland security. It addresses the evolution of homeland security from early to modern times with an emphasis on the emerging homeland security structure, culture, and organization.
PBHE413 - Special Operations in Emergency Medical Services (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course deals with the specialized issues associated with emergency medical services—those issues that are not commonplace or part of everyday procedure. Topics include emergency medical services in mass casualty, biological, chemical and radiological incidents. The course also covers unique topics in emergency medical services, to include the employment of services in complex contingencies, such as those faced when fire, police, terrorist, and other emergencies co-exist with the need to provide medical services on-scene and post-disaster.
POLS410 - Public Policy (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
Analyzes the formulation and execution of public policy in America. Includes study of decision-making theory, bureaucratic politics and other models that seek to explain how policy is made. Issues explored include social, environmental, economic, homeland security, defense, and foreign policy. Additional issue areas may be covered depending on contemporary significance.
PSYC431 - Psychology of Disaster (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course focuses on the psychological and physiological human response to natural and man-made disasters. Using clinical research and case histories, students will examine normal and abnormal psychological reactions, the recovery process and principles of mental health care for victims of mass disasters. Differences between natural and man-made disasters are examined and factors that mitigate post-traumatic effects are reviewed. Psychological aspects of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) disasters are also considered.
SCIN114 - Introduction to Meteorology (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
Introduction to Meteorology covers the fundamental principles governing the behavior of our atmosphere and the duties and methods of the professional meteorologist. Students will gain insight into the exciting discipline of meteorology, discussing topics such as cloud formations, movement in the atmosphere, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and meteorology satellites. Concurrent enrollment in corresponding Lab Course is required.
SCIN115 - Introduction to Meteorology Lab (1 hour)· Check Course Availability
This lab will take the student deeper into the aspects of our weather through the study and exploration of our atmosphere via an interactive CD-ROM. Topics to be discussed range from cloud formations, and aspects of weather to hurricanes and severe weather situations. The CD-ROM based lab increases the student’s awareness of our planet through hands on activities. Concurrent enrollment in corresponding Lecture Course is required.
Major Requirements(12 Hours)
EDMG240 - Chemistry of Hazardous Materials (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course presents the chemical basis for classification of, and emergency response to incidents involving, hazardous material. It is designed for the non-chemist emergency responder, transporters and others who need to understand the implications of both single product and multiple product spills, releases and incidents. This course does not require any prior chemistry knowledge.
EDMG259 - Hazard Mitigation and Preparedness (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course will provide the student with an overview of societies need for planning for hazardous situations. Every community faces the potential of hazards, both natural and manmade. Only when people are injured and property is damaged by a hazard does a disaster occur. Due to patterns of population growth and development in the United States, disasters now occur more frequently than ever before. Mitigation and preparedness strategies are critical ways of making a community more resilient against the impacts of hazards.
EDMG420 - Risk Communications (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course examines media management during local/national disasters and/or events. It will also address the media and all levels of governmental response. The focus will be on actual operations and on-site issues.
HLSS211 - Emergency Response to Terrorism (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course is a study of the emergency response to terrorism process, to include knowledge of response tasks, toxicology, mass casualty triage, decontamination, and other operational issues.
HLSS212 - Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Hazards (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course for the non-scientist, is a study of chemical, biological, and radiological science involved in the different forms of weapons of mass destruction. The course covers topics of basic science, treatment, short- and long- term effects, among other issues central to understanding hostile WMD agents.
HLSS213 - Weapons of Mass Destruction Incident Command (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course is a study of the Incident Command System (ICS) as it applies to a WMD response. Students will be provided with knowledge of the ICS and case scenarios of its use in a variety of settings. The course includes a scenario-driven exercise in which students must “respond” through the ICS command and staffing process to a national event.
HLSS215 - Regulatory Issues in Weapons of Mass Destruction (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course focuses on the legal and regulatory issues associated with WMD response. Its topics include: associated public law, reporting authorities, jurisdictional and functional issues that govern organizational, technical, medical, scientific, moral/ethical issues, and, other aspects of response.
HLSS230 - Chemistry of Explosives (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course offers explosive handlers, bomb disposal technicians and responders an introduction to the chemical make-up and associated hazards of explosive substances. The combination of challenging reference sources and instructional interchange immerses the student in the world of explosive compounds including the research and development behind many explosive compounds widely used throughout the world today. This combination of reference materials, website research and group-related projects, allows the new explosive handler to learn the scientific basis for the long lists of safety precautions involved when handling explosives. Topics include, but are not limited to, history of explosives; basic chemical composition of explosives; and, safety precautions and guidelines when approaching or handling explosives. It will also cover researching information sites and references for material ranging from basic safety precautions of explosives to the resources available for emergency handlers and responders. The course helps students understand the hazards associated with common explosive materials.
HLSS231 - History of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course is a dynamic and information packed introduction to the history of incendiaries and explosives. Included is a short study of the origins of modern-day Bomb Disposal and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Teams and their evolving techniques. The course examines areas and ideas from the ancient mystique of “Greek Fire” and the inventions of gunpowder and high explosives, up to modern-day nuclear reactions and weapons of mass destruction. The course provides an in-depth understanding and appreciation of the history and background of the science and mechanics applied to explosive technologies, and provides for a better understanding of those who work to render safe unexploded hazards.
HLSS232 - Electronics, Electricity, and Explosives (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course is designed for Explosive handling technicians, police or military, or others who respond to incidents involving hazardous devices containing electrical and/or electronic components. Concepts covered include the important differences between electricity and electronics (E&E) from the scientific and technical perspective and the practical situational aspects of threats posed to any handler of suspicious E&E devices. Specific areas are covered in a logical and easy to digest manner and include the fundamental principles of Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) including series, parallel, and series parallel circuits; hazardous device circuit component operations and capabilities; and, safety precautions and guidelines when dealing with circuits contained in hazardous devices. The course focuses on how to conduct research on information sites and references for basic circuitry and helps students recognize the technical aspects of circuit theory, components and capabilities required to effectively perform diagnostic procedures.
HLSS233 - Explosive Incident Assessment: Methods, Practices, Protocols (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course is an overview of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). It provides a framework in which to evaluate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) utilized by military and civilian Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams and Hazardous Devices teams in the field. The extremely hazardous nature of these operations lends itself to a detailed evaluation of the methods; practices and protocols used during live ordnance and emergency response calls. Formal EOD guidance contained in military instructions and regulations, and Federal Codes of Regulation (CFRs) are examined as references and for operational compliance. They are evaluated for efficacy in meeting the often conflicting and demanding needs of EOD operators. Procedures covered include the full spectrum of military EOD Required Operational Capabilities. Included are high risk evolutions such as diving and demolition operations, parachuting and rappelling operations, and, response to weapons of mass destruction, and small arms employment under hostile and time constrained conditions. The vulnerability and risk of specific EOD procedures to terrorists’ actions is defined, and proposed countermeasures are weighted for effectiveness. The application of industry “Best Practice” risk management processes is examined for application to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal field.
HLSS234 - Organization for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course provides an overview of the many different federal, military, state, local, and specialized explosive ordnance disposal organizations, units, and teams; their associated authority in public law; their different jurisdictional boundaries; and their different doctrinal and organizational approaches to similar and different issues in the field.
HLSS311 - Border and Coastal Security (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course is a study of the federal, state and local organizations involved in border and coastal security, associated homeland security issues, the various policy and operational strategies used for border and coastal access and security, and contemporary border and coastal security concerns. Topics also include immigration and non-U.S. approaches to border and coastal security.
HLSS312 - Port Security (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
Port Security is a survey course designed to provide students with a broad knowledge of port security issues. It will examine the critical importance of ports to trade and their vulnerability to disruption and attack. It will also examine several contemporary issues, including; the importance of sea borne trade to the North American and United States economies, the value of mega ports to sea borne trade, the vulnerabilities of ports to disruption and asymmetric attack, critical port security incidents such as the Halifax Explosion, and defensive measures to protect ports from disruption or asymmetric attack.
PBHE426 – Quarantine (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course is a study of the theoretical, historical, and contemporary issues associated with quarantine as a public health and safety measure. Students will learn quarantine strategy, implementation, effectiveness, and debate. The course topics will include the consideration of quarantine as a health and safety measure in modern homeland security strategy.
TLMT381 - Hazardous Materials Management (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course will cover the requirements and regulations associated with packaging, handling, storage, transport, and incident response at the operational level for all forms of Hazardous Material. The emphasis will be on the federal regulations and their often-competing goals and contradictory provisions.
Institutional Requirements(3 Hours)
COLL100 - Foundations of Online Learning (3 hours)
· Check Course Availability
This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for undergraduate study in the online environment. Students will be introduced to learning theory, the tools available in the online classroom and campus, and online research. Identification of personal learning style allows students to improve their study/learning techniques and prepares them to succeed in college level courses. Students will be introduced to formatting and citation styles. APUS policy and procedure is addressed. There is an emphasis on written communication to assist students in the transition to the online environment.
General Education(34 Hours)
English - (Must take ENGL101-Proficiency in Writing) (6 hours)
Humanities (3 hours)
History (6 hours)
Literature (3 hours)
Mathematics (3 hours)
Political Science (3 hours)
Science (4 hours)
Social Science (6 hours)
Final Program Requirement(3 Hours)
EDMG498 - Senior Seminar in Emergency & Disaster Mgmt. (3 hours)
General Electives(39 Hours)
Electives are typically courses available at your degree level that are not currently required as a part of your degree program/academic plan. Please visit the catalog to view a complete listing of courses.
American Public University System is accredited by the Higher Learning Association of the North Central Association of College and Schools and by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). American Public University System is a distance learning institution that includes American Military University (AMU) and American Public University (APU).
American Military University’s Emergency and Disaster Management (EDM) program is also accredited through the Foundation of Higher Education (FoHE) in Emergency Management and it the first 100% on-line institution to receive this important distinction. The program has an active membership in the International Association of Emergency Managers’ student association, the International Emergency Managers Student’s Association, with over 170 student members. AMU’s EDM program also has a chapter of Epsilon Pi Phi, which is the national honor society in Emergency Management/Homeland Security/Business Continuity for universities and colleges established by The Foundation of Higher Education in 2006.